Born Under a Bad Sign
Booker T the MG's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
I been on my own ever since I was ten
Born under a bad sign
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
I can't read, haven't learned how to write
My whole life has been one big fight
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
I ain't lyin'
If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
Wine and women is all I crave
A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
Born under a bad sign
I been down since I begin to crawl
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
Yeah, my bad luck boy
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
The lyrics of Booker T. & the MG's Born Under a Bad Sign express a sense of fatalism and acceptance of one's bad luck. The singer suggests that they have had a difficult life from the very beginning, "born under a bad sign". They describe how they have been facing misery since they were a baby, and if it weren't for bad luck, they wouldn't have any luck at all. The singer can't read, hasn't learned how to write, and has been fighting their whole life. Wine and women seem to be the only things to bring any joy.
The singer seems defeated, accepting that their life is the way it is because of some cosmic force. Even if they try to change their luck, the outcome will remain the same. Despite this, they show resilience by continuing to fight and survive. The final line, "Been havin' bad luck all of my days", is a somber acceptance of their life's circumstance.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two
Counting in before starting to sing Born Under a Bad Sign song
Born under a bad sign
The singer believes they are cursed to live a difficult life
I been down since I begin to crawl
The singer has always struggled with hardships
If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
The only luck the artist has experienced is negative luck
Hard luck and trouble is my only friend
The difficulties the artist has faced have become the only constant in their life
I been on my own ever since I was ten
The singer has been without help or support since a young age
I can't read, haven't learned how to write
The singer hasn't received a complete education, possibly contributing to their difficulties
My whole life has been one big fight
The artist feels as if their entire life has been a struggle
I ain't lyin'
The artist wants to emphasize the truth of their situation
If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have no kind-a luck
The artist believes they only experience negative luck, nothing positive
If it wasn't for real bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all
The singer feels that their life is so consistently difficult that without it, they would have no luck at all
Wine and women is all I crave
The artist finds some solace in alcohol and relationships
A big legged woman is gonna carry me to my grave
The singer feels as if a relationship may be their only salvation, even in death
Yeah, my bad luck boy
The singer has fully accepted their situation as one of bad luck
Been havin' bad luck all of my days, yes
The singer has only experienced hardships, with no respite or escape
Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOOKER T. JONES, WILLIAM BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizabethsmith1278
Just.
The.
BEST!!!!!!!!!
πππΆππ
@garys8990
These fellows were so fantastic!! Few can match their abilities! Thanks for posting.
@Greenriver842
The Hammond sound is so epic π
@isadpg885
Oh hell! I need more cowbell!
Love this song :)
@georgearquette8091
Love it!
@artproject3169
Booker T and William Bell are the composers.
@jamesclyne7240
Booker composer, Bell lyricist
@NatHarwood
Absolutely THE best version of the song. A good song is always best in its original version :D
@adrianjenkins5877
I don't think this is the original version of the song, seeing as how the original version had words and all.
@RockinAllDay
β@@adrianjenkins5877It might've been before William Bell came up with the lyrics, since we know Booker T composed the chords and melody.